Queen’s Brian May Looked to Freddie Mercury For Inspiration During Health Scare

Brian May says he's often thought of the way Freddie Mercury handled his final illness when dealing with the aftermath of the Queen guitarist's own health scare. Mercury died in 1991 from complications relating to the AIDS virus.

May underwent a biopsy last December, after doctors worried the 66-year-old might have prostate cancer. He was given a clean bill of health and has returned to work - but, as he tells the Sun, with a new outlook.

“In a healthy way, it’s good to be aware of your death — so that you can get your life in perspective,” May says. “Freddie Mercury was very focused and had no time to waste, ever! He really did spend the short life he had doing what he wanted to do. It is important to look at every day as a gift.”

While he has been cleared of the cancer risk, May says health concerns remain.

“It’s still a bit mystifying though, as I’m not totally fine,” he says. “I still have a lot of problems and pains, but we seem to have eliminated all the sinister possible causes. I’m just left slightly baffled and am trying to build up my strength again.”